The Oregon House of Representatives recently voted in favor (41-18) of Senate Bill (S.B.) 838, the Oregon Renewable Energy Act, which would require Oregon's largest utilities to obtain 25% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025. S.B.838 passed the Oregon Senate 20-10 on April 10.

"The bill will expand the use of Oregon's generous endowment of solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and wave resources and help the state make the transition from fossil fuel dependence to energy independence," says Rachel Shimshak, executive director of the Renewable Northwest Project (RNP), a coalition of organizations and energy companies that promotes the development of renewable resources.

According to RNP, the bill was led by Gov. Ted Kulongoski, D-Ore., and has received support from environmentalists, consumer advocates, municipal utilities, the Public Utility Commission and other Oregon residents. Kulongoski will now have a chance to sign the bill.